Colby Corino, Lance Anoa’i Enter ECWA Super 8 Legacy Edition
All participants will be second and third-generation wrestlers.
The Wrestling Estate has learned the next two names scheduled for the 23rd annual ECWA Super 8.
Colby Corino and Lance Anoa’i are scheduled for the one-night tournament on April 20 at a venue yet to be decided in the Philadelphia/South Jersey/Delaware area. The theme of this year’s tournament is LEGACY, as all participants will be second and third-generation wrestlers.
“These families have had an impact on professional wrestling and will continue to do so in the years to come,” Joe Zanolle, ECWA matchmaker, wrote on Facebook. “Their contributions have helped shape the business. You can be there to see history, you can be a part of it: eight of the biggest family names and contributors of professional wrestling.”
Colby Corino is a familiar name to ECW fans – his father Steve Corino wrote Colby’s name on his wrist tape at November to Remember 2000, the night he won the ECW World Heavyweight Championship. At only 22 years old, it’s fair to call Colby Corino a veteran of the squared circle, having racked up titles across the independent scene. He appeared in Ring of Honor in 2015, being recruited by B.J. Whitmer to join The Decade and later used as a pawn in Whitmer’s rivalry with Steve Corino. He recently competed at EVOLVE 118, almost winning a fatal four-way that included Curt Stallion, Anthony Greene and BSHP KNG.
“The Super 8 tournament has been around for basically my whole life, so being a part of it and having the chance of joining names of previous winners like Christopher Daniels, Jerry Lynn and Tomasso Ciampa is a great opportunity,” Corino told The Wrestling Estate. “Plus with all the competitors being 2nd and 3rd-generation wrestlers, this might be the strongest tournament field yet, and I’m excited to come out on top.”
Lance Anoa’i hails from one of the biggest families in wrestling history – the lineage includes ties to every Samoan wrestler from The Rock to Roman Reigns to Nia Jax to Rikishi to the late Umaga and Yokozuna. Lance’s father is Headshrinker Samu and his grandfather is Afa of the Wild Samoans.
For nearly a decade, Anoa’i has honed his craft on the independent scene, even challenging for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship last year at House of Hardcore. He also teamed with his father in MLW, coming up short to Barrington Hughes and Kotto Brazil.
“Following in my family footsteps since 2010, this is a lift because I’m the first one in my family to ever be invited to this prestigious tournament,” Anoa’i said. “And my legacy will not stop there! I will continue to take flight to my future!”
Already announced for the ECWA Super 8 Legacy Edition are Brian Pillman Jr. of MLW fame and Timothy Zbyszko, Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s 2013 Rookie of the Year – an honor his father, “Living Legend” Larry Zbyszko, received in 1974.
For almost a quarter century, the ECWA Super 8 Tournament has become a launching pad for undiscovered, up-and-coming talents to get noticed throughout the industry. Previous winners include current NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa, current MLW World Heavyweight Champion Low Ki, former ROH World Champion Christopher Daniels, former WWE Tag Team Champion Xavier Woods and many other notable names.
Even if you don’t take home the trophy, an impressive showing in the tournament can raise your stock. Look no further than Ty Awesome, whose breakout performance in last year’s event led him to the ECWA Heavyweight Championship.
ECWA Super 8 Legacy Edition takes place Saturday, April 20, at a venue to be determined.
For tickets and more information, visit ecwaprowrestling.com or call 609.220.5598.
You can also join the ECWA Pro Wrestling Facebook group for the latest news, match announcements, promos and more.
Check back with The Wrestling Estate for more participant announcements.
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